The key facts

  • Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said the GRU ordered the sabotage attempt at Threod Systems
  • The attack was meant to cause an explosion and fire at the facility in Viimsi parish; suspects have been detained, local media report eight arrests
  • In August, a similar arson occurred at Milrem Robotics; Estonian authorities also linked it to Russian intelligence services

Attempted sabotage at the drone manufacturer's facility

On the night of Saturday, an act of sabotage was attempted on the premises of the Estonian company Threod Systems, which produces unmanned aerial vehicles and surveillance systems. According to the Estonian Internal Security Service, the attempt was meant to cause an explosion and a fire at the facility. The country's Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that the attack was ordered by the GRU — the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian armed forces. On Sunday, he wrote on social media that 'significant damage' had been prevented thanks to 'enhanced security measures and the rapid response of law enforcement agencies.' According to him, the suspected perpetrators have been detained; local media report eight people detained in connection with the case.

Who is Threod Systems and why this is not the first incident

Threod Systems was founded in 2012 and develops unmanned aerial vehicles and surveillance systems, including the Eos drones and eOpic electro-optical modules. The company is located in Viimsi parish near Tallinn. This is already the second attack on an Estonian defense manufacturer in recent months: in August, Milrem Robotics suffered an arson attack, and Estonian officials stated at the time that this attack, too, had been ordered by Russian intelligence services.

Context: hybrid war and a possible border closure

Michal characterized the incident as 'part of a broader hybrid war by Russia against Europe,' the goal of which is to reduce support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia. He also said that Estonia is preparing for a possible closure of the border with Russia in order to 'reduce risks to our people and national security.' Estonia and its Baltic neighbors, located on NATO's eastern flank, have in recent years faced a growing number of reports of cyberattacks, drone incursions, and sabotage attempts, which are linked to the consequences of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to available information, the GRU and other Russian intelligence structures often attempt to recruit local perpetrators for sabotage on European territory. The statements about GRU involvement remain, for now, an assessment by the Estonian authorities; the charges brought against the detainees and their citizenship were not reported in the publications.